Bruce "Utah" Phillips, 73; an influential figure in American folk music who built a grass-roots following with his songs and spoken-word performances that hearkened back to the days of Woody Guthrie (May 23)

Hugh Jarrett, 78; a member of Elvis Presley's backup band the Jordonaires (May 31)

Bo Diddley, 79; a primal rock and blues musician who helped cast the sonic template of rock more than 50 years ago with a signature syncopated rhythm that became universally recognized as "the Bo Diddley beat" (June 2)

Bill Finegan, 91; an architect of the big band sounds of Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller who later traded in commercial success to co-create the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra (June 4)

Danny Davis, 83; a bandleader and record producer who founded the Nashville Brass (June 12)